s, Mr. and Mrs. Lambert were no doubt
pleased to see an attachment growing up between their daughter and
a young gentleman of such good principles, talents, family, and
expectations. There was honesty in all Mr. Esmond Warrington's words
and actions, and in his behaviour to the world a certain grandeur and
simplicity, which showed him to be a true gentleman. Somewhat cold and
haughty in his demeanour to strangers, especially towards the great, he
was not in the least supercilious: he was perfectly courteous towards
women, and with those people whom he loved, especially kind, amiable,
lively, and tender.

No wonder that one young woman we know of got to think him the best man
in all the world--alas! not even excepting papa. A great love felt by
a man towards a woman makes him better, as regards her, than all other
men. We have said that George used to wonder himself when he found how
witty, how eloquent, how wise he was, when he talked with the fair young
creature whose heart had become all his.... I say we will not again
listen to their love whispers. Those soft words do not bear being
written down. If you please--good sir, or madam, who are sentimentally
inclined--lay down the book and think over certain things for yourself.
You may be ever so old now; but you remember. It may be all dead and
buried; but in a moment, up it springs out of its grave, and looks, and
smiles, and whispers as of yore when it clung to your arm, and dropped
fresh tears on your heart. It is here, and alive, did I say? O far, far
away! O lonely hearth and cold ashes! Here is the vase, but the roses
are gone; here is the shore, and yonder the ship was moored; but the
anchors are up, and it has sailed away for ever.

Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. This, however, is mere sentimentality;
and as regards George and Theo, is neither here nor there. What I mean
to say is, that the young lady's family were perfectly satisfied with
the state of affairs between her and Mr. Warrington; and though he had
not as yet asked the decisive question, everybody else knew what the
answer would be when it came.

Mamma perhaps thought the question was a long time coming.

"Psha! my dear!" says the General. "There is time enough in all
conscience. Theo is not much more than seventeen; George, if I mistake
not, is under forty; and, besides, he must have time to write to
Virginia, and ask mamma."

"But suppose she refuses?"

"That will be a bad day for old and yo